“We always have room for improvement, but this is definitely a championship-caliber football team that will win in the Big House against Ohio State,” Gardner said on WBBL 107.3-FM. “We don’t feel we’re inferior to anyone in the country, and we’re going to give it our all.”

Gardner pointed out that his confidence is not based on bravado. On his off-day, he worked with receivers twice during the day, and was considering going a third time.

Gardner inherits the job full-time. He is coming off a year in which he replaced Denard Robinson when Robinson was injured. Gardner didn’t waste the opportunity. He finished the year with 1,219 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, along with five interceptions.